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June Wildflowers (Photos: John F. Foster)

In This Issue

Upcoming Events

Join hiker and plein-air painter Tim Snyder and local South Shore Footpath Project volunteers for a South Shore Watercolour Walk at Hudgin Log House, Hudgin-Rose Nature Reserve, 191 Ostrander Point Rd., Prince Edward County, ON K0K 2P0. on Wed., July 22, 2026 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. For more information contact Lesa Berec at [email protected] . Also see here.

Step Into Nature with SSJI’s Fundraising Raffle on Fri., Oct.30, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. at Little Ben Cottage, 361 Main St., Wellington, ON K0K 3L0. There are 6 Prizes, 200 Tickets at $25 each. 100% of proceeds support South Shore Joint Initiative. See here.

Get your ticket by contacting Cheryl Anderson at 1-613-849-7743 or cheryl.anderson@ ssji.ca.

 

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The South Shore Nature Centre Apple Tree

📝📸 Cheryl Anderson

The Hudgin-Rose Nature Reserve on Ostrander Point Road boasts an ancient apple tree at the back of the farmstead area. The tree is a reliable bloomer in the spring and usually grows a good crop. Chances are that tree was planted sometime around the time that the Hudgin house was built – in the late nineteenth century.

The apples are late to mature but crisp and not too sweet. As a Hudgin family descendent and with a great interest in apples and their varieties MaryKay Morris took time to research the variety. MaryKay determined that the apples were Ben Davis variety.

Mark Paddison and Cheryl Chapman cleaning up the dead branches of the Ben Davis Apple (Photo: Cheryl Anderson)

This is what I found on the internet about the variety. “One of America’s earliest commercial success stories, the Ben Davis Apple Tree—also known as the “Mortgage Lifter”—earned its nickname from being a hardy, dependable producer with fruit tough enough to ship without bruising. This heirloom variety dates back to the 1800s and has stood the test of time in both home orchards and farmsteads.”

Because they were so hardy Ben Davis apples were often shipped to Britain for use in making cider and were easily stored for use throughout the long Canadian winter.

As part of the preparations for the new South Shore Nature Centre a pathway has been mowed around the outside edge of the farmstead area. To increase the use of the area we wanted to make a place to sit under the apple tree. To do that we undertook a “pruning party”. Mark Paddison, Cheryl Chapman and I worked to remove all the dead branches hanging down from the blooming tree. Leo the Dachshund sat nearby and watched to make sure we did a good job. The photo below demonstrated what it looks like now. The tree is in full bloom which promises a good crop of Ben Davis apples in the fall.

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Supporting Partner Organizations and Birding Fun

📝 Cheryl Anderson

Since 1976, the Birdathon has grown from supporting a single bird observatory (Long Point) to becoming Canada's longest-running fundraiser for bird conservation. Birdathon funds projects across the country through Birds Canada and raises millions to protect birds. Birders ask their friends and family to donate to Birds Canada to support their day of birding. Birds Canada shares the funds with Bird Observatories and nature clubs. In Prince Edward County the Birdathon supports Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO). PEPtBO shares the funds raised by its members with Prince Edward County Field Naturalists (PECFN).

Common Nighthawk (Photo : Ian Dickinson)

Really though, the Birdathon is just a very enjoyable day out with friends trying to identify as many avian species as we can. My group has been lucky to have as leader expert birder and naturalist Joanne Dewey. Since the Birdathon is meant to be a species count over 24 hours Amy Bodman and I have a habit of starting the evening before to hear nighttime birds. It was particularly thrilling this year to hear the Whip-poor-wills that were probably only six feet away from us along Brewers Road. The American Woodcocks were reliable in the fields along Duetta Road. Again, this year, we were able to hear an Eastern Screech Owl.

May 23 started out cool and cloudy. The rain arrived at about noon. Traverse Woods was quiet with just a few Warbler species snacking on the clouds of midges we waded through. We enjoyed seeing and hearing Baltimore Orioles, Gray Catbirds and Great Crested Flycatchers. Along Long Point Road, Joanne halted the car at a loud call – it was an Orchard Oriole bring chased by a Brown Thrasher.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Photo: Ian Barker)

Brown Thrasher (Photo: Ian Barker)

There is a new place to see waterfowl and shorebirds along County Rd 10. Ducks Unlimited is creating a wetland area very close to the road. What a thrill to see a male Wood Duck in full breeding plumage along with a female Hooded Merganser on that stop.

We went to Point Petre, but the resident Indigo Bunting was taking shelter from the rain. Not to be deterred our next stop was Beaver Meadow. It is a favourite for the quiet forest pathways surrounded by good displays of spring ephemerals. The Trilliums were still in good flower. From the lookout over the wetland, we could see a lone Black Tern and were able to call in a Virginia Rail. Swamp Sparrows typed their familiar call.

Despite the weather, we carried on to Wesley Acres Road. The flooded field has been mostly drained, but in the small ponds remaining were Northern Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal along with a scattering of shorebirds.
By 3:30 pm we were all drenched, but very happy with our day.

Semipalmated Sandpiper (Photo: Ian Barker)

Black Tern (Photo: Ian Dickinson)

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At Sunset

By Emily Pauline Johnson (Takehionwake)1

To-night the west o'er-brims with warmest dyes;

Its chalice overflows

With pools of purple colouring the skies,

A flood with gold and rose;

And some hot soul seems throbbing close to mine,

As sinks the sun within that world of wine.

 

I seem to hear a bar of music float

And swoon into the west;

My ear can scarcely catch the whispered note,

But something in my breast

Blends with that strain, till both accord in one,

As cloud and colour blend at set of sun.

 

And twilight conies with grey and restful eyes,

As ashes follow flame.

But O! I heard a voice from those rich skies

Call tenderly my name;

It was as if some priestly fingers stole

In benedictions o'er my lonely soul.

 

I know not why, but all my being longed

And leapt at that sweet call;

My heart outreached its arms, all passion thronged

And beat against Fate's wall,

Crying in utter homesickness to be

Near to a heart that loves and leans to me.

 

1 - Johnson, Emily Pauline (Takehionwake). 1922. At Sunset in “Flint and Feather, 8th Ed.”, P.63.

The Musson Book Company, Toronto, Ontario. Accessed 20260601Mon.

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On Extinction

Charles William Beebe1

“The beauty and genius of a work of art may be reconceived, though its first material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the composer; but when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again.”

 

1 - Beebe, Charles William. 1906.. Quote at end of Chapter 1 Ancestors. The Bird: It’s Form and Function. P.18.

Henry Holt and Company, New York, USA. Accessed 20260614Sun.

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Gallery

Trees reaching skyward and blooming (Photo: John F. Foster)

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Come to the Point Traverse Lighthouse Inside and Out Tour on Sun., July 12,2026.

The Tour is presented by PEC Heritage Conservancy. It is a unique opportunity to see Inside an Iconic County Lighthouse.

Start at 6056 Long Point Rd., Prince Edward County, ON. Doors open 1:30 P.M. Tour is 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.

Tickets are $35.00 plus fees and are available at the Ticketscene website: https://ticketscene.ca/events/62286/

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Editor's Note

This is the 36th edition of The South Shoreliner. The editor would like to thank the following for contributing to this 36th edition of The South Shoreliner: Cheryl Anderson, John Lowry, John F. Foster, Steven Burr, Emily Pauline Johnson (Takehionwake), Charles William Beebe, and Cheryl Chapman. Contributions make the newsletter readable and interesting. For the next and upcoming newsletters, contributions of articles, photos and events are always welcome.

-- John F. Foster, The South Shoreliner Editor